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Last Updated: Jul 2, 2009 - 9:35:57 AM |
YAOUNDE -- Cameroon's President Paul Biya, facing discontent over
rising prices and corruption, sacked his prime minister on Tuesday in
the biggest government reshuffle in more than four years.
No reason was given for the removal of Ephraim Inoni, who had been in
the midst of seeking access to more than $140 million from the
International Monetary Fund to help cushion Cameroon from the effects
of the global financial crisis.
New prime minister Philemon Yang, a former diplomat and senior official
in the presidency, will now head the government in the oil-producing
country of 19 million, central Africa's biggest economy.
Political analysts said the reshuffle had not been completely
unexpected given that the prime minister had been in place for several
years and that corruption accusations against the government had
intensified recently.
"We do not expect to see any major change, especially as the size of
the government remains big," said Babissakana, the head of Cameroonian
investment firm Prescriptor. "We were expecting that he would cut the
government to about 30 ministers instead of the 60 or 65 for efficiency
and better performance. It is disappointing."
Six new ministers joined the cabinet while three changed their posts.
Biya has been in power for 27 years in the former French colony and is
expected to stand for re-election in 2011.
He has faced discontent over rising prices and the government last week
announced cuts of 25 percent in the prices of staple goods such as
rice, salt and fish.
The former prime minister had been seeking the urgent release of funds
from the IMF to help Cameroon deal with the impact of the global
crisis, according to a letter obtained by Reuters this week. There was
no indication that his removal would have any impact on that plan.
Although the next presidential election is still some way off, Biya
needs to make sure the ground is prepared. Violent anti-government
protests broke out last year after a change to the constitution to let
him stand for another term.
Despite a bigger gross domestic than countries such as Ghana and
Senegal, Cameroon lags in sectors such as health and education and is
also ranked as one of Africa's most corrupt countries.
Source:Ocnus.net 2009
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